Organised by Angelini Pharma S.p.A.
Chair(s)
Ms Ema Paulino, Community Pharmacist, Professional Secretary and member of the Executive Committee at the International Pharmaceutical Federation, Portugal
Introduction:
Part I
Musculoskeletal pain is a major burden in our society. Managing musculoskeletal pain or injuries often requires a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach.
The primary goals in managing musculoskeletal pain are to control and reduce pain, improve function, and enhance health-related quality of life. To achieve these goals, community pharmacists can guide patients on non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments. Pharmacological approaches include non-prescription (over-the-counter) analgesics, such as topical and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol (acetaminophen). For non-pharmacological approaches, pharmacists an encourage patients to make lifestyle modifications as part of the treatment strategy in musculoskeletal care. In addition to lifestyle modifications, pharmacists can recommend heat and cold therapy to alleviate pain.
An overview of musculoskeletal pain management in community pharmacies will be shared and discussed together with recommendations gathered from insight board discussions, existing clinical guidelines, and relevant studies on musculoskeletal pain management. It covers information gathering and patient assessment; identifying red flags for a referral to a medical practitioner; developing management and treatment plans with a focus on heat therapy; managing side effects; and advising on when to seek further treatment.
Part II
This section will explore the use of heat therapy both as a standalone treatment and in combination with pharmacological options, such as oral and topical analgesics, for managing low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis. These conditions are among the most common forms of musculoskeletal pain globally making them key areas of focus in this guidance. The primary objectives in managing these conditions are to control pain, relieve symptoms, and improve both function and quality of life. By understanding when and how to effectively integrate heat therapy with pharmacological treatments, community pharmacists can offer enhanced pain management strategies, providing patients with a comprehensive, multimodal approach to alleviating musculoskeletal pain. Recommendations from the expert for the management of non-specific low-back pain, neck pain and knee pain will be discussed and shared.
Programme:
| 13:30 – 13:35 | Chair introduction |
| Ms Ema Paulino, Community Pharmacist, Professional Secretary and member of the Executive Committee at the International Pharmaceutical Federation, Portugal | |
| 13:35 – 13:55 | Empowering self-care: Role of community pharmacists in managing everyday musculoskeletal pain |
| Ms Ema Paulino, Community Pharmacist, Professional Secretary and member of the Executive Committee at the International Pharmaceutical Federation, Portugal | |
| 13:55 – 14:15 | Musculoskeletal pain management: Heat therapy, a standalone treatment and in a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach |
| Ms Francesco Negrini, Associate Professor, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist, University of Insubria, Italy | |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Q&A section & Closing |
Learning objectives:
1. Understand the role of community pharmacists in Self-care and acute and chronic MP management.
2. Scientific education tailored for pharmacists and HCPs about the benefits of Heat Therapy for the Musculoskeletal Pain (MP) management based on clinical evidence.
3. Raise awareness among key stakeholders about recent guidance on MP management with a focus on multimodal and multidisciplinary approach.
4. Empowering health through sharing knowledge about the impact of self-management in musculoskeletal pain.
Take home messages:
Part I
- Musculoskeletal pain is a major burden in our society.
- Hot and cold are both useful and effective for the management of Musculoskeletal pain and sports injuries;
- Pharmacists play an important role in identifying the nature and severity of a patient's pain through probing questions and history taking to ensure appropriate care is provided
- Pharmacists must be vigilant in recognising red-flag warning signs to ensure that patients receive appropriate medical attention promptly
Part II
- Managing musculoskeletal pain often requires a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach based on recent clinical practice guidelines
- Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, including heat therapy, play a key role in the management of musculoskeletal pain.
- Reassurance, education, and advice on physical activity, exercise and continuing normal activities are the first-line interventions for non-specific MSK pain (i.e., low-back, neck and osteoarthritis)
- Through careful patient assessment, informed recommendations and multidisciplinary collaboration, pharmacists can improve pain management in a holistic, patient-centred way.
